CO129-498-12 Recommendations to strengthen defences against overseas attack 17-2-1926 - 17-2-1926 — Page 11

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(c)

Subha L

(ii)

(iii)

(i)

command of the sea.

The Military Force which the enemy could use for the attack, is far greater than that available for the defence. Its transport by sea would probably present little difficulty, in view of the enemy's great Naval superiority.

The enemy possesses considerable Air Forces, which he could use if he wished.

Topography. General.

See" to 1 mile map attached. The mountainous nature of the country renders all movement, off the roads, very slow and only possible for infantry and pack animals, which, moreover, are both, to a large extent, confined to the paths. For this reason the bime necessary to move troops to a threatened point on the coast, would often be quite out of proportion to the distance to be covered. This would facilitate landing without opposition. On the other hand paths, passable by pack animals, are fairly plentiful, and though movement would be very slow, it would as a rule not be impossible, and a landing force would be able to advance if not stopped by defending troops.

(ii) Tactical Features.

(a) Landing places, whence access to the harbour can be gained, constitute the most important tactical feature in the situation. Of these there are many, as can be seen from the " map, which only shows those within ten-miles of the middle of the harbour. Outside this limit there are many more.

A large number of these landing places can be approached from the sea without interference from the fixed defences. Moreover, troops despatched from Hongkong to prevent an enemy landing, would often take several hours to reach their destination. The enemy, on the other hand, could dirert his forces from one landing stage to another with but little loss of time

It is clear therefore, that an enemy could effect a landing at many places within ten miles of the harbour, without interference from the land

for several hours.

(b) Tactical features affecting the approach of the enemy from his landing places to the harbour, are next to be considered.

On the island, the main ridge, running

roughly